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Future Talent Programme FAQs for students

Registration for the Future Talent Programme 2026 is open!

If you have any questions please contact the GÉANT Learning and Development (GLAD) team via the online form.

  1. What is GÉANT and what is an NREN?
    GÉANT is the pan-European network that delivers high-performance connectivity and advanced services to more than 50 million research and education users across 40 European countries.

    National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) are specialised internet service providers dedicated to supporting the needs of the research and education communities within their own country.

  2. Why should I join the Future Talent Programme (FTP)?
    You will learn to pitch your innovative ideas and deliver powerful presentation skills, that FTP alumni call “skills for life” that they use in their work today. Our professional training workshops provide a positive, collaborative environment to learn and connect with peers.

    Participants can raise their profile in the research and education community and build key connections for research and future careers. Finalists present their research to industry experts at GÉANT's TNC conference, while all participants have the chance to showcase their work through a self-recorded video, published via GÉANT media channels, and a dedicated page on community.geant.org.

    As FTP24 students say in this video, “go for it”!

  3. Who can participate?
    Students or young professionals (with up to five years of work experience) who are studying or working in IT or networking-related fields.

    All applicants must be nominated by a GÉANT member NREN.

  4. What are the requirements of the Future Talent Programme?
    By taking part participants commit to following the programme's timelines.

    The FTP is highly rewarding but requires significant commitment from March to June. Please plan carefully around your study and exam schedules and consider how your research or thesis work might align with the FTP.

    • February - June 2026: Be contactable throughout the programme.
    • 10 March 2026: Submit a Lightning Talk proposal to TNC.
    • April - June 2026: Attend all presentation coaching sessions and preparing ahead of each session. Develop and rehearse your presentations between sessions.
    • May 2026: Submit a video of your five minute Lightning Talk to GLAD.
    • 7 - 12 June 2026: If selected as a finalist, travel to TNC26 in Helsinki, Finland and participate in the programme of events.
    • Post programme: Complete the evaluation survey and become a valuable member of the FTP alumni.
  5. What is the Lightning Talk Challenge?
    The FTP Lightning Talk Challenge offers students and young professionals a fantastic opportunity to present their project or idea to an international audience at GÉANT's annual TNC conference. A Lightning Talk focuses on one key point and tells its story in five short minutes!

    All FTP candidates submit a proposal for an idea, project or research to be shared, this can tie in with your thesis topic. Submissions are reviewed by the TNC Programme Committee and finalists are advised by late March. If selected, you will travel to TNC26 in Helsinki, Finland to take centre stage and deliver your talk!

  6. What topic should I propose?
    Proposals can be your original idea, a successful project, cautionary story, collaboration invitation, quick tip or demonstration. Submissions can be based on any research or innovation which addresses a technical, economic, legal, security or environmental aspect of computer networking or technology. Proposals should be easy to understand, avoid technical language and be relevant to the world of research and education networking. Your local NREN mentor and the GLAD team will be on hand to review your proposed topics.

  7. How do I submit my Lightning Talk to TNC?
    Participants must submit their Lightning Talk proposal to the TNC Programme Committee via the TNC portal.

    Proposal abstracts should include:

    • Presentation title.
    • Presentation description.
    • Presenter’s name and affiliation.

    Submissions will be reviewed by the TNC Programme Committee and FTP finalists will be notified by the end of March.

    Please note that FTP finalists must be available to present their talk in person at TNC from 8 – 12 June 2026.

  8. I have been selected as an FTP finalist, how do I arrange travel to TNC?
    Congratulations! Your local NREN will fund the costs of your travel to TNC and claim those costs from GÉANT’s GN5-2 Project (WP1, T5). Ask your NREN contact whether you should make the booking yourself, or whether they will book for you directly.

    GÉANT (GLAD) will book and pay for your hotel and conference attendance fees. Keep all receipts for food and travel expenses during TNC and claim the cost back from your local NREN.

  9. I was not selected as an FTP finalist, what happens next?
    Competition for Lightning Talks is high, which means not all FTP participants will be chosen as finalists. Never fear, as part of the FTP you can still showcase your research to the research and education community. You will receive support to produce a self-recorded video of your Lightning Talk. This video will be:

    • featured on a dedicated page on community.geant.org (along with a short biography),
    • published on GÉANT TV,
    • publicised across social platforms,
    • promoted during the week of TNC26.

    Your NREN mentors will also remain available to help you make connections in your field of research.

Ready to apply?

Contact your local NREN to request a nomination for the Future Talent Programme (FTP).

If you need help with registration or would like to be connected with your local NREN, please contact the GÉANT Learning and Development (GLAD) team via the online form.

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